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Jeff Bezos briefly tops Bill Gates as world's richest

Amazon's founder was the world's wealthiest man -- until the stock market turned south.

Scott Stein Editor at Large
I started with CNET reviewing laptops in 2009. Now I explore wearable tech, VR/AR, tablets, gaming and future/emerging trends in our changing world. Other obsessions include magic, immersive theater, puzzles, board games, cooking, improv and the New York Jets. My background includes an MFA in theater which I apply to thinking about immersive experiences of the future.
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  • Nearly 20 years writing about tech, and over a decade reviewing wearable tech, VR, and AR products and apps
Scott Stein
Watch this: Jeff Bezos is the richest person on Earth... for now

Jeff Bezos briefly eclipsed Bill Gates as the richest man in the world on Thursday, but later fell back to second place.

The Amazon CEO surpassed former Microsoft chief Bill Gates as the world's richest person as Amazon's stock rose on the morning of Thursday, July 27, according to Bloomberg's rankings of the world's wealthiest. For a time, Bezos's net worth surpassed Bill Gates' $90.7 billion fortune. 

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Jeff Bezos surpasses Bill Gates, for now

Drew Angerer / Getty Images

However, as the market -- and Amazon stock -- turned down later in the day, so did the Bezos money pile. Amazon's quarterly earnings, announced after the bell, further pressured the stock. The company revenue continues to soar, but high expenses have cut into earnings.  

Bezos, of course, could reclaim the top spot in the wealth index as Amazon's stock price continues to fluctuate going forward. 

Bill Gates has been the world's richest person since May 2013, according to Bloomberg. Also in the top five are Gates' bridge partner Warren Buffett and fellow tech titan Mark Zuckerberg.

Updated July 28 at 8:38 a.m. PT